Why You Shouldn’t Use an Instagram Growth Service

It's tempting, but you shouldn't use an Instagram growth service

Making your mark on Instagram – or anywhere online – can be tough. The world of blogging and social media is extremely competitive, especially going into 2018.

The platform is over saturated with influencers of all levels. Scoring authentic followers is hard. And with the new algorithm, getting engagement from your audience is more challenging than ever.

It’s understandable that many bloggers and influencers might want to make life easier for themselves, by seeking out a helping hand. It could be in the form of comment pods and a virtual assistant. Or it could be with the help of a third-party Instagram growth service.

Our advice? Don’t do it.

While third-party growth services aren’t illegal, they are against Instagram’s Terms of Use.

But more importantly, they don’t generate authentic interaction between a target audience and an influencer’s content – even if the interaction gained from them is “real”.

Sounds confusing? We’ll break it down.

Here's how an Instagram growth service works: these growth “services” are third-party apps that work on a user's behalf. They are automation platforms (consisting of computer robots a.k.a. ‘bots) that complete certain actions (i.e. commenting, liking and following/unfollowing other accounts) in place of a physical user.

When you sign up to use one of these services, you are letting a bot interact on your behalf. While some growth services claim that they can target a specific niche market or demographic using one is still risky.

Because a ‘bot can’t make judgement calls the way a human brain can slip-ups, like commenting or liking an inappropriate photo, can happen. And that's the least of it.

While an Instagram growth service may attract some followers and likes for other users, a blogger or an influencer can’t build a community surrounding their content if the use one.

Why should bloggers, influencers and creators care about building a community?

Building a community (i.e. authentic following) on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. is key to an influencer’s success.

It means there is a level of trust between the influencer and his/her following. For example, if an average Instagram user wants a recommendation for a new shampoo, she might seek out content from a beauty influencer that (she believes) will provide her with an honest shampoo review. It’s the same way she would ask a friend for a recommendation.

A level of trust cannot be created unless an influencer is engaging and interaction with their audience themselves. It’s this trust that brands are dying to tap into, in order to get their products out there by “word-of-mouth” influencer marketing.

Therefore. an Instagram growth service is completely counter-productive in building a sense of community surrounding a blogger's or influencer’s account and content. It also gives a brands and companies a false impression, when it comes to the blogger or influencer's authenticity. It's also worth noting many companies are getting very good at spotting in authentic influencers.

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About The Author

Laura Andrea Kell is a Canadian freelance writer and IFB's Editorial Assistant, and is based in Dubai, UAE. She also writes for itpliveme.com and occasionally blogs at lauraindubai.com Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @lauraandreakell

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